E3 2009: DiRT 2 Coming to Nintendo DS

Mathew Horsman, lead designer on the console versions of Dirt 2 confirmed that the sequel to Colin McRae's mud-slinging rally racer is coming to the DS.

Horsman didn't have all the details, but Dirt on the DS is being developed by Firebrand Games Ltd., the team behind IGN's Best DS Racing/Driving Game of 2008, Race Driver: GRID. The game will mimic its console big brothers in most respects, using a stylus-conrtolled RV hub and world map, with "fewer than twelve" locations, and multiple tracks per location. The impressive Battersea Power Station track, based on the real London coal factory, is confirmed to be on the list. Twelve different cars will be available, with customization probably limited to cosmetic changes.

Driving controls will be strictly button and control-pad based. Horsman was not certain, but believed races would feature between 6 to 8 cars

One new feature will be the ability to create your own tracks using a top-down interface, complete with hills and trees. Players can share their user-created tracks with friends, but the number of savable or uploadable tracks is unclear.